The Ministry of Welcome at CanterburyShowing Hospitality to Strangers and Friends

Greeters at Canterbury

The ministry of hospitality is at the very heart of Christian spiritual practice. Time and again scripture reminds us that when God shows up, it is almost always as a stranger!

The ministry of hospitality is a ministry that is shared by the entire Christian community. The role of the designated "greeter" at Canterbury is to model the practices of hospitality for the whole community, and to invite other members of the community to share more fully in our work of welcoming.

If you would like to join our Sunday Morning Greeter Team, please talk to Sylvia+

A Greeter's PrayerBlessed be God the Wordwho came to his own and his own received him notfor in this way God glorified the stranger.God, show us your image in all who come to us todaythat we may welcome them, and you,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Guidelines for GreetersOur first goal as greeters is to ensure that EVERY person who comes through our doors--children, elders, visitors, long time members, neighbors, guests, returning “prodigal” members--feel SEEN, VALUED, and unconditionally WELCOMED. Our second goal as greeters is to help provide the resources and support each person needs to participate in worship as fully and comfortably as possible. To help us effectively accomplish these goals, we normally assign greeters to work in teams of two.

Greeter 1Welcomes people at the front door or in the entryway to the church and invites each person to wear a name tag. Greeter 1 may also answer questions and orient people to the Canterbury space and routine, point people towards the worship space, and introduce visitors to other members as needed. Extroverted greeters are often most comfortable serving as Greeter 1.

Greeter 2Welcomes people at the back of the nave (the worship space) and gives each person a service leaflet and any other materials they will need for worship. Greeter 2 may also introduce children and parents to child-friendly materials (playdough and trays) and areas (rugs) in the worship space and help people find seats, as needed. Introverted greeters are often most comfortable serving as Greeter 2.

Both Greeters remain near the back of the nave throughout the service to welcome latecomers and provide whatever support might be needed during worship.

Spiritual Growth for Greeters

Recall an experience in your own life (at church or elsewhere) when you felt welcome. Recall an experience (at church or elsewhere) in your own life when you felt unwelcome. Contemplate, discuss, or journal about those experiences.

Visit a church, synagogue, house of worship, or other event that is unfamiliar to you. Notice your experience. What made you uncomfortable? What made you comfortable? What insight did you gain about how newcomers might experience Canterbury?